A lovely bright green laminate has been used for the front of this Cat Brooch with contrasting ivory for the eyes are ear details. It has been impossible to capture just how strong the green colour is on this brooch, it is very bright and beautiful. Traditionally this Lea Stein design is known as the 'Quarrelsome' cat and it is a little labrger in size than Lea Stein's other Cat designs. This particular example has a really fabulous fabric effect like crushed velvet as it’s pattern. Bold and striking this is a brooch that will delight! This brooch measures approximately 3.25 ins by 2ins at its widest parts and has the traditional Lea Stein pin back with a roll-over type fastener. The reverse of the brooch is in a lime green laminate with just three ivory inset panels where the eyes and ears are positioned. The piece is signed - 'Lea Stein, Paris'. This is a contemporary design from Lea Stein who is famed for her jewellery, particularly her animal designs which have featured cats, foxes, dogs, birds and many other things over her history.
Now for that history -
LEA STEIN was born in Paris in 1931 and worked as a dress designer. She began making her now famous Jewellery when her husband, Fernand Steinberger, ( a Plastics Chemist ) discovered a process of laminating cellulose acetate to create a unique range of colours & patterns.
Buttons for her frocks were their first products; followed by brooches, bangles and earrings. The factory was forced to close in the 1980’s but has since re-opened much to the relief of costume jewellery collectors and Lea Stein fans. Lea Stein loves to produce designs based on animals and flowers. Now she is quite an elderly lady but still introduces a couple of new designs each year.
Each brooch has the trademark ‘V’ shaped pin on the back and is signed: ‘LEA STEIN PARIS’. The manufacturing process used means that no two pieces are exactly alike. The fabulous designs, the ease of wearing and their quirky appeal are just some of the reasons why they are so collected around the world today.
JEWELLERY DETAILS
Designer or Brand: Lea Stein, Paris
Condition: Excellent - New
Decade: Current
Era: Contemporary Retro
Type: Brooch
Material: Plastic Laminate Rhodoid
Colours: green and ivory